Reply #25: Peruvian police fire on unarmed indigenous tribes' oil and gas protest

[Judi Lynn]

Peruvian police fire on unarmed indigenous tribes' oil and gas protest
Both sides report at least 30 deaths and many more
Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent, and agencies guardian.co.uk,
Friday 5 June 2009 23.20 BST

Indigenous tribes who are protesting about oil and gas projects in the Amazon clashed with Peruvian security forces on Friday, leaving dozens dead and injured.

The bloodshed broke out before dawn when police tried to lift a road blockade by thousands of Awajun and Wambis Indians near Bagua in the remote province of Utcubamba, 870 miles north of the capital Lima.

Both sides reported at least 30 deaths - including nine police - and dozens wounded. Each blamed the other for the mayhem.

Police in helicopters fired live rounds at peaceful protestors and dropped tear gas canisters, killing 22 protestors, indigenous leader Alberto Pizango told reporters in the capital Lima. "I hold the government of President Alan García responsible for ordering this genocide."

The government said police were attempting to retake control of a lawless area when they came under attack from tribes who were armed with guns and set fire to government buildings.

The advocacy group Amazon Watch backed the indigenous version of events. "Eyewitnesses report that police attacked from both sides firing real bullets into the crowd as people fled into the hills. As the unarmed demonstrators were killed and injured, some wrestled the police and took away their guns and fought back in self-defence, resulting in the deaths of several police officers."

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/05/amazon-tribes-police-protest-deaths